The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have agreed on concrete steps to sustain a Washington-brokered peace deal signed last December.
The move follows sanctions imposed by the US Department of the Treasury on Rwanda’s military over support for M23 rebels operating in eastern DRC. Four senior Rwandan military officers were also sanctioned.
A joint statement issued on March 18 said the DRC and Rwanda had committed to a series of measures aimed at easing tensions and advancing progress on the ground.
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“These efforts include a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the scheduled disengagement of forces and lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda in defined areas in DRC territory, time-bound and intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR [Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda], and the protection of all civilians,” the statement said.
The statement, released by the governments of the United States, Rwanda and the DRC, followed a meeting of Rwandan and Congolese officials, who reaffirmed their commitments under the deal, known as the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. The United States brokered the deal with Qatar and Uganda as facilitators.
M23 rebels—named after a March 23, 2009 peace agreement—did not take part in the talks.
Rwanda has been accused of backing the rebels, who have seized territory in eastern DRC and triggered mass displacement of civilians. The United Nations and the United States have imposed sanctions on the group.
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS OUR READERS OFTEN ASK
The Treasury Department imposed the sanctions saying the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) was “actively supporting, training, and fighting alongside” the M23.
Rwanda denies supporting the rebels. However, according to UN reports, there is compelling evidence linking Kigali to rebel activities in eastern DRC.
Kigali said the sanctions unfairly targeted one party to the peace process and misrepresented the reality of the conflict.
The DRC government welcomed the measures, saying they were intended to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Sanctioned officers
- Vincent Nyakarundi (Nyakarundi) is the Army Chief of Staff of the RDF. Nyakarundi is a senior commander of the Rwandan Army’s land forces, which have conducted military operations in support of M23, the department said.
- Ruki Karusisi (Karusisi) is a major general and commander of the RDF’s 5th Infantry Division. He was previously a Special Operations Force Commander and oversaw military operations in support of M23.
- Mubarakh Muganga (Muganga) is the RDF’s Chief of Defence Staff. Before being appointed to this role in June 2023, Muganga served as the RDF’s Army Chief of Staff, during which time he played a key role in planning operations and commanding RDF forces in eastern DRC, according to the department.
- Stanislas Gashugi (Gashugi) was appointed as the RDF’s Special Operations Force Commander on March 15, 2025, replacing Karusisi.
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